Family 70th celebration. somewhere to sleep min of 10. Suggestions please?

[wotzsaname]

3 families getting together for a week get together. Would you all stay in a big rented house, stay in a nice country hotel or rent 3 apartments/cottages next to each other.
I live over 250 miles away from my mum whos birthday it will be and my Ds and BIL with 2 teenage boys live abroard.
3 couples, and 4 children, maybe 2 more will join us.

Is sounds like one of those maths questions. But has anyone done this and how did it work out?

[wotzsaname]

posted late last night so lets see if any morning mn have any ides?

[ghosty]

I suppose it would depend on how close you are.
Hotel might be pricey (if you are looking per head) but a house might be a bit cosey if you have any family ishoos ...

Personally, if it were my family, I would love a rented house ... but I am not sure some members of my family would agree (lol)

[Imafairy]

I'd go for the big rented house or neighbouring cottages thing.....if you go for a big house make sure there are enough bathrooms!!!

[Tommy]

depends where it is! Agree with ghosty - if you all get on, then a rented house would be great. Last year, my sister's family and I rented apartments (overnight) next to each to each other when we went to a family do - that was ideal for us and in Bristol City Centre (where they aren't too any holiday homes to ba had!)

[wotzsaname]

thanks for replys, i can see a cooking and washing up issue in a big rented house. My sister always paints her nails just before any chores need to be done!

[pretendmum]

Big rented house...gor for it!
We celebrated my grandparents 50th wedding anniversary in a set of cottages with three families and it was fantastic and much cheaper than a hotel. Staying in a set of cottages was less likely to cause family disputes but we have been away with three other families who are friends and all stayed in huge houses and had great fun, so depends on how well your family gets on.
We used these people to book with but googling where you would like to stay will bring up loads of places. Also a lot of cottage sats and larger properties have swimming pools which may be an attraction to the children.

[Tutter]

have used a few places like this

where in the country are you looking?

[Tutter]

oh, and what's your budget?

[CountessDracula]

You could try and get a catered house or hire a cook for the week?

[BellaLasagne]

Brilliant place near us in gorgeous Herefordshire run by friends, will sleep up to 20 in individual cottages, flexible accommodation, see here

[BellaLasagne]

P.S. Also has indoor heated pool!

[CountessDracula]

this place will do catering

[wotzsaname]

owwwwer im loving some of these. i like the pool.

Location is felxible as im in Merseyside, mum and her DP are in Hampshire and sister will prob fly into Liverpool from Spain and stay with me for a few days before we meet our mum.

So anywhere in between really. Budget, well it is her 70th and we will alll chip and we rarely all gt to be together at the same time. I think it may have been over 2 years ago the last time, my sister and I were with our mum together. So whatever. But obviuosly i dont want to buy the place so not too much.

[Tutter]

well i asked about budget because these places look amazing. haven't been but were close to booking last year for a big group of friends. they can arrange catering

alternatively, if you fancy the cotswolds, have a look at bruern cottages - have stayed here several times and they are faultless. can arrange for (very good) frozen meals to be left for you, or for a local chef to come and cook - both work very well

there are lots of cheaper options on this site: the big domain

[wotzsaname]

Tutter, now thats exciting, but i havent looked at the prices yet. i was thinking chalet maid style like you get for sking, would be lovely.
Note to self: 'Must to the lottery on Wednesday'

[wotzsaname]

oh no Tutter, ive got stuck looking at the Europe ones, but sis wants to come here for the shopping. Must remember to use the UK drop down only.

[OrmIrian]

When my parents were 70 we rented a beautiful cottage in Pembroke. DB and I shared the cost and I think it came to about 250 each. It slept 10 comfortably. It was where they had gone for their hols when they were first married. We went out for a few meals but the best were the big family meals that we all cooked together - loads of noise, mess, food and wine. And a huge log first to toast ourselves in front of.

[OrmIrian]

Quality Cottages was the company I think.

[wotzsaname]

thnks OrmIrian. sounds like you had a great time.

[yeahinaminute]

IO have just got the Landmark Trust brochure - chock full of wonderful houses, castles, forts weird buildings galore - you can stay in some apartments in Hampton Court Palace or rent some or all the cottages in a village in Devon for instance!!

The costs vary but I was surprised how reasonable they are especially outside of the peak times.

The book is £11.50 from the website but you can redeem this cost when you place your reservation.

landmark trust

[wotzsaname]

any afternoon advice?

[Skribble]

We stayed in a fantastic wooden lodge in SW Scotland, 7 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms. No catering, but it is close enough that I could come over for a fee . Does have a dishwasher though. Balbeg

[wickedwaterwitchhaspmt]

Was about to post but tutter got there first, have to say I've been dying to stay in the Somerset ones for ages!

[wotzsaname]

thank you everyone. I am going to have a good look at all the sites, im looking forward to it already.

[wotzsaname]

any more sugestions. some of these were lovely epecially the one i found with a helipad, but maybe a little too expensive and we dont have a helicopter.